5-time champ North Dakota State is top seed in FCS playoffs

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Five-time defending national champion North Dakota State is the No. 1 seed in the FCS playoffs. The NCAA announced the 24-team playoff field

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Five-time defending national champion North Dakota State is the No. 1 seed in the FCS playoffs.

The NCAA announced the 24-team playoff field on Sunday. The top eight seeds receive first-round byes and host second-round games. Joining the Bison in the top four are Eastern Washington at No. 2, Jacksonville State, last season's runner-up, at No. 3 and James Madison at No. 4.

WIN $2KIN TICKETS

WIN $2KIN TICKETS

GET READY TO COMPETE

Pick your champion (you can change it later). We’ll email you when brackets open.

• Miami (FL)
• Georgia
• Utah
• Indiana
• Alabama
• Kentucky
• Texas
• UCLA
• BYU
• Ole Miss
• Notre Dame
• Ohio State

PREREGISTER TO PLAY

No purchase necessary. 50 U.S./D.C. 18+. Entry opens 3PM ET Dec 6, 2026 and closes 8PM ET Dec 18, 2026. Void where prohibited.See Official Rules for complete details. The College Football Playoff (CFP) is not a sponsor or administrator of this contest.

No. 5 Sam Houston State, No. 6 The Citadel, No. 7 North Dakota and No. 8 South Dakota State also have first-round byes.

North Dakota State will begin defense of its title on Dec. 3 against the winner of Cal Poly and San Diego.

Youngstown State under former Nebraska coach Bo Pelini is in the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2006. The Penguins host Samford on Saturday.